Oil shield for internal combustion engines



Nov. 26, 1940. E WYLIE 2,222,792

OIL SHIELD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 2, 1959 INVENTOR.

BY V

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNIED STATES on. SHIELD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINES Ernest L. Wylie, St. Louis, Mo. 4 Application June 2, 1939,Serial No. 276,946

4 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for regulating or directing the flowof oil in an explosive or gas engine, wherein overhead or valve-inheadvalves are employed.

In order to properly lubricate the rocker arms of such valve assemblies,the motors are so designed that oil is forced under pressure to therocker arm shaft and through ducts on top of the arms. This oil bycapillary attraction, flows down the rocker arm and is deposited in thevalve retaining cup, whence it flows assisted by gravity, down the valvestem and through the guide into the intake and exhaust valve chambers.The oil in the intake chamber is sucked into the cylinder or combustionchamber on the intake stroke and is burnt as part of the combustiblemixture. The oil in the exhaust chamber is blown off into the exhaustmanifold through the muflier and out through the tail pipe.

The purpose of this invention is to provide shields for mounting on theupper ends of the stems of the intake and exhaust valves for divertingthis surplus oil from the valve stems and returning the oil to the crankcase through the drain holes or channels provided in the cylinder block.

Another object is to provide oil shields, regulators or deflectors ofvarious forms, and provided with sockets formed centrally on their undersides, adapted nicely yet freely to receive the upper ends of the valvestems, whereby the shields may be mounted on the stems for deflectingthe oil therefrom, the disks having flattened central areas on theirupper sides for providing enlarged wearing or contact surfaces for theends or toes of the rocker arms, thus eliminating the usual pitting orrecessing of the said toes resulting from incessant contact with therelatively small ends of the valve stems, and whereby accurate valveadjustments are niade difiicult or impossible; the said shields beingfurther. provided with one or more small oil ducts for passingsufficient amounts of oil down to the valve stems for lubrieating sameand preventing sticking.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects andadvantages as may appear from the specification, the invention comprisesthe structures and assemblies shown in the accompanying drawing,illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing in section a fragment of the upper sideof a cylinder block, a valve stem guide or bushing mounted therein, avalve stem slidably seated through the bushing, a spring seated over thestem, a valve retaining cup on the stem at the upper end of the spring,a rocker arm on a shaft shown in section, and an oil shield, regulator,deflector or diverter mounted on the upper end of the valve stem be- 510 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shield as viewed from theupper, convexed side.

Figure-4 is a diametrical section through a modified form of the shield,showing a more abruptly cupped structure, the top or upper side 15 beingfiat and circular and from which depends an annular skirt.

Figure 5 is a diametrical section through a flat disk-like form ofshield, having a socket member pressed through the center'thereof, inlieu of the integral forms shown in the other figures.

The invention is designed for use on internal combustion engines, suchas indicated at A in Figure 1, a fragment of the upper side of acylinder block of such an engine being here shown. A conventional valvestem guide or bushing B is shown seated through the block, and opensdown into its valve chamber (not here shown). The usual coil expansionspring C is mounted over the upper and outer end of the guide B and thevalve stem D is passed slidably down through said'guide. The usual valveretaining cup or washer E is keyed upon the upper end of the stem overthe spring, the latter being thus braced in place between said retainingcup and engine block.

The aforesaid assembly is located operatively below the rocker arm Fmounted on its shaft G with its working end or toe H operativelydisposed immediately above the upper end of the valve stem D.

In accordance with conventional art and usage, the toe H is placedindirect contact with the end of the stem D, with the disadvantageousresults specified in the prelude of this specification.

In accordance with my invention I interpose a shield or 'plate or cover5 between the valve retaining cup' and the toe of the rocker arm, whichshield or cover may be of any suitable form and may be further referredto and designated as an oil regulator, diverter or defiecter.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, this shield 5 is circular and ofconvexo-concave in form. A more abruptly cupped form of shield 5a isshown in Figure 4, while in Figure 5 is shown a fiat,

disk-like form of shield 5b. Other forms might be provided, within thescope of the invention, as for instance a squared form in plan.

Whatever form of shield may be used, it is provided with a central hubor socket member 6 which projects at the lower side of the shield and isbored out to provide a socket 1 adapted nicely yet freely to engage theupper end of the stem D upon which it is to be mounted. The opposite orclosed end of the hub, at the outer or upper side of the shield isfinished 01f flatly and smoothly to provide a broad strike-spot 8 toengage the toe H of the rocker arm F.

From the hub 6 the skirt ID of the shield extends outward, and ispreferably formed circular and convexo-concave as in Figures 1, 2 and 3,but may be formed with a fiat upper side as shown at Ilia in Figure 4,and an annular, pendant flange l9b, or if preferred the flange 10b maybe omitted, leaving a flat, disk-like shield alone, as shown at H10 inFigure 5.

The hub 6 is pierced by one or more oil ducts l I for feeding oil bygravity down to the valve stems in just the right quantities forlubricating same and preventing sticking. In Figures 2, 3 and 5 only onecentral oil duct is shown. In Figure 4 three ducts are shown.

The shields are made of any suitable material such as tempered steel,and they may be stamped out integrally, as represented in Figures 2, 3and 4, or the hub 6 may be cast or formed separately and then pressfitted into the centrally apertured skirt of the shield, as shown at [.2in Figure 5.

In use the shields or oil regulators, formed as described, are mountedon the upper ends of the valve stems, beneath the toes of the rockerarms, in manner already pointed out. The flattened, central strike areasof the upper sides of the shields provide ample contact surfaces for thetoes of the rocker arms, so that same are not recessed or pitted underthe incessant and rapid movement of the parts and feeler gages may beused effectively in making valve adjustments. 'Just enough oil feedsdown through the oil ducts to properly lubricate the valve stems, andall surplus oil flowing down the rocker arms, falls upon the skirts ofthe shields, is deflected from the valve stems and flows by gravity backinto the crank case. It is found in practice that a large percentage ofoil is saved through use of these devices.

While I have here shown and described certain embodiments of theinvention and certain structural features of the same, it is understoodthat changes and alterations may be made as found necessary orexpedient, within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a valve having an upwardly directed stem biasedby a surrounding spring, and an actuating member for engaging the end ofthe stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a devicenormally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metalsocket member having an axial socket which extends partiallytherethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yetfreely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said devicebeing restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surfaceopposite said socket for cooperation with the actuating member, and ametal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flangein its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming aposition closely adjacent thereto.

2. In combination with a valve having an upwardly directed stem biasedby a surrounding spring, and an actuating member for engaging the end ofthe stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a devicenormally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metalsocket member having an axial socket which extends partiallytherethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yetfreely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said devicebeing restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surfaceopposite said pocket for cooperation with the actuating member, and ametal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flangein its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming aposition closely adjacent thereto, said surface having an area greaterthan that of the cross section of the valve stem.

3. In combination with a valve having an upwardly directed stem biasedby a surrounding spring, and an actuating memberfor engaging the end ofthe stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a devicenormally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metalsocket member having an axial socket which extends partiallytherethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yetfreely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said devicebeing restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surfaceopposite said socket for cooperation with the actuating member, and ametal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flangein its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming aposition closely adjacent thereto, said surface being penetrated by alubricating opening in communication with said socket.

4. In combination with a valve having an up wardly directed stem biasedby a surrounding spring, and an actuating member for engaging the end ofthe stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; astamping normally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising acentral metal socket member having an axial socket which extendspartially therethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stemnicely yet freely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of saidstamping being restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, asurface opposite said socket for cooperation with the actuating member,and a metal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, saidflange in its assembled relationship overhanging said spring andassuming a position closely adjacent thereto.

ERNEST L. WYLIE.

